SpainTalk - TechTalk - Shipping

I've been talking a lot about shipping recently and this is pretty much just to describe my experience with receiving packages.  I love to shop online and I would recommend for everyone to buy everything that they need online and ship it...

With the exception of cell phones and laptops or other electronic devices.  I don't have a problem with paying taxes - actually, I calculate it in my price when I buy an item... but apparently Spain customs has a fascination with my electronic things - which I don't really mind (its just a shame really).

DO NOT SHIP ELECTRONICS TO SPAIN - DO NOT DO IT.

Friends and family, I love you, but get me a gift card - I'll buy it another way.

1st case - USPS and ADT postales.

This package has been in Spain since February 6th.

Will I ever see it?! WHO KNOWS. 

Apparently, a blue netbook is a cause for customs to keep it under wraps.  I've sent every form, invoice, signed documents, my passport, the promise of my 1st child (since I don't plan to have any), but apparently that isn't enough... at this point, I might have them ship it back to my dad and I'll just and get it in June...

2nd Case - DHL and DHL customs

This one is quite special.  The package has taken 72 hours to get from China to Spain and it looks like I'll be going on Semana Santa before I see this package.

I don't mind paying for taxes and I've actually been corresponding (in Spanish) but she started writing in English - probably because her Spanish is better than my English...

What I don't understand is..

You're estimating 105 eur on a phone that cost 135 eur (CLICK HERE for blog post).

a) I lost my phone - so #duh 

- that is why you can't call me and that is why I ordered this generic ass cheap phone.

b) What do you mean you tell me an exact amount?  YOU ARE CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT - IF YOU CAN'T TELL ME - WHO WILL? and not only that... you want me to PAY YOU A DHL DISPATCH COMMISSION - for doing something that you don't how much it will be?

c) I have to wait another day - because she gets off work at 15:00.

 Needless to say - go ahead and buy your ties, t-shirts, small electronics on eBay - I haven't had a problem with 99% of shipping things to Spain - the moment you have to go to through clearance - you might as well have them send that package back - this is causing too much of a headache to deal with.

I wish I lived in Madrid - it would probably be faster to stop by there and ask exactly what is going on... 

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Health... What does it really mean? & Shipping & more running!

Since I came out and announced that I am HIV +, everyone has been asking about my health. What does that really mean, HEALTH? I am sure that everyone wants me to be physically healthy, but how do people define health? and at what costs? Would you just eat what's completely healthy and never satisfy that sugar craving? Is an occasional treat ok? What if it becomes the norm? Does health = true happiness?

My motto is just everything in moderation and burn what you eat. If you're craving sweets, have some. If you're hungry, eat. Don't deny yourself pleasure, when you do, that is when you will binge on it. So.. what's my point... well, here is a sneak peak into what I eat in a normal day.

Breakfast:
If I am running late, I will have a bowl of cereal. If I have time, I love cooking myself a breakfast. I always have a 3 egg omelet (with 1 yolk only), some sort of sausage (whether its a veggie patties or pork links), and 1/2 a bagel (with cream cheese - I like the salmon flavor, as well as strawberry and honey oat)


Snacks:
I never deny myself a snack. NEVER. If my stomach is grumbling, I'll eat. Well, here at my snack choices. All of this is from Costco. I also buy the kids fruit cups that has like 20 fruit cups. I always have my desk stacked, so I don't make any bad choices. I like the fruit cups a lot, and chocolate soy milk also. The snack bar is high in fiber.


Dinner:
I pretty much cook dinner every night of the week. I like a eat a lot of veggies. This took about 10 minutes. I had brown rice (made from before), I just steamed some broccoli, and fried a chicken apple sausage. YUM!


For dessert, I have chocolate soy milk or a cup of sorbet/sherbet, and I never eat past 8:30PM.

Shipping:
Oh no these hoes didn't?! This is why I get charged SOOOO much for shipping. I purchased 25 items from REI. I bought all different kinds of energy gels for running. I wanted to try all different brands, and all different flavors. REI was the only company that had a large single (buffet) selection and affordable prices. The shipping wasn't too bad. But why did you monkey ass send me 1 in a box on its own. It cost $.92, and I was probably charged $5 for shipping. This was the only thing in the box along with a lot of paper. WTF! You really couldn't fit this in the other box with 24 small gels?!


Running:
My run yesterday, my right knee was giving me a really hard time. I had a doctors appointment today, but I canceled it. My knee is feeling a lot better, and I am going to try walking/jogging on it.


Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.